NDPC highlights infrastructure and institutional reforms in draft consolidated national development plan

The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, has underscored the need for stronger infrastructure development and institutional reforms as Ghana works toward the formulation of a Consolidated National Development Plan.

Addressing a consultative engagement in Wa, Dr. Thompson reflected on his first visit to the area more than three decades ago, noting with concern that several development challenges remain unresolved.

According to him, although the world has experienced remarkable transformation over the past thirty-three years, Ghana still struggles to address some basic infrastructure needs.

He observed that the country has yet to construct a key road linking two major regions, describing the situation as a stark reminder of the gaps in the nation’s development trajectory.

Dr. Thompson explained that the Commission is currently working to merge several existing national development frameworks into a unified and coherent plan that will guide Ghana’s long-term growth.

He indicated that the proposed Consolidated National Development Plan will prioritise infrastructure development, spatial planning, institutional reforms, and decentralisation, while drawing guidance from the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

He further stressed that infrastructure development should not rely solely on foreign contractors, urging the country to build its own construction capacity and strengthen the local industry.

Dr. Thompson also highlighted the importance of discipline and national values in the development process, stressing that sustainable progress goes beyond economic indicators and infrastructure to include integrity, law and order, and a national commitment to excellence.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, emphasised the importance of effective planning and timely reporting by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen coordination in national development.

She explained that Ghana’s development planning system operates through a chain linking district, regional, and national levels, where reports from one level contribute to broader monitoring and evaluation processes.

According to her, delays by districts in submitting reports can disrupt the preparation of the National Annual Progress Report.

Dr. Amoah further noted that planning is essential for both institutions and individuals.

Using a simple analogy, she explained that a person who goes to the market without a list may return with items they did not intend to buy while forgetting more important ones.

She therefore urged local authorities to ensure that development plans are carefully prepared, implemented, and monitored to effectively address the needs of communities.

The Charles Lwanga Puozuing also described the engagement as timely, particularly as Ghana seeks to harmonise its various long-term development frameworks.

According to him, initiatives such as the 40-Year Long-Term National Development Plan, the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, and Ghana@100 contain valuable proposals that must be integrated into a single national blueprint to guide the country’s future development.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith